Witness plea over arson attack

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a 55-year-old woman was hospitalised when thugs set fire to her Werneth home.

The blaze was started in a recycling bin which was then pushed into the porch area of the house, in Jackson Close, at midnight on Friday.

The victim was woken by the smoke and called the fire service which attended the scene and rescued the woman.

She was taken to the Royal Oldham Hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

There is no description of the offenders as they were not seen, but police are appealing to anyone who has information to come forward.

Det Con Kate Dawson, from Oldham CID, said: “Make no mistake, the consequences of this malicious arson attack could have been fatal.

“Many people reading or hearing this will be all too aware what can happen when recycling bins are set on fire.

“My officers and I are taking this extremely seriously and we are doing everything we can to find those responsible and show them — and the community — that the punishment for this appalling crime is prison. While the motive is unclear and may possibly be a completely random attack, this does not detract from the gravity of the offence and how seriously we are taking this.

“I would ask the community help us in our investigation. If you hear any gossip then please, do not keep it to yourself. If we can catch these people then we can stop them from hurting anyone else.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Oldham CID on 0161-856 8951 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.